Adnan Januzaj's hard work will pay off

It's been a right old struggle for young Adnan Januzaj this season. The exciting Belgian winger, who burst onto the scene in style under the David Moyes regime at Manchester United last term, has failed to prove his credentials this time around.

In truth, it hasn't entirely been his fault: he's been unable to hold down a regular starting place under new boss Louis van Gaal, while the Dutchman has chopped and changed things in an attempt to find a new identity for the sleeping giants.

Struggles

More often than not, despite a few chances here and there, Januzaj has been left out in the cold, having to make do with the odd appearance. In contrast to last season, when at times the youngster was the talisman for the club, things just haven't gone his way.

But there is a light at the end of the tunnel for the man who signed a five-year contract and took the famous No.11 shirt at the club. In recent weeks we've seen Van Gaal go to him and trust him to produce the goods.

And slowly but surely Januzaj has started to climb back up the pecking order at the club, and it's now clear that the youngster is in Van Gaal's long term plans at the club.

At the end of the day, Van Gaal knows how to handle youngsters with bags of potential. Unlike last season, when Januzaj entered the scene as an unknown talent, things have proved tricky for him to produce the goods; the opposition have found ways to stop him in his tracks.

This campaign will either make or break him; it will prove key for him as he goes in search of long term success at the Theatre of Dreams. He should learn from the experience, and return stronger.

Hitting the gym

And his latest comments should excite Manchester United fans; he seems determined to prove himself at the highest level.

"I am trying to be faster and stronger so I can be tougher when I go out on the pitch.

"I am doing a lot of short, sharp stuff so, when I turn a defender or go past a player, I can just get a few metres away from them with my acceleration."

It's what Ronaldo did

Of course, it's easy to compare Januzaj and Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. After all, the United ace is arguably the most exciting youngster at the club since the days of the now Portuguese world-beater.

By no means am I saying that Januzaj will reach anywhere near the astronomical heights of Ronaldo, but he will certainly give his everything to reach his full potential. And that can put him among some of the very best forward players in word football.

Once upon a time, Ronaldo's body-shape was similar to Januzaj's...now, however, his physique is something to be admired. The Real star is a machine, and it's hard work that has got him there.

You only have to read the comments from Mike Clegg - United's former power development coach - to understand Ronaldo's mind set...

As reported by BBC Sport, Clegg - when discussing Ronaldo - said: "I would say, physically, he is the perfect specimen. From his height to his natural body type, muscular structure, how much fat he's got in his system, his endurance capacity, flexibility, power and strength - they are in perfect balance.

"He had in his mind, 'I need to make myself special and I'm going to have to learn everything I need to become special. I'm going to have to regiment my day and my week, months and years and become as good as I can be by every possible means.' He had a plan."

Januzaj's words, then, should excite the United faithful; he is switched on and desperate to achieve so much in the game.

There's no doubt about it, if he trains hard, then he too can become a power-house, and go on and become a world star. The next six months or so will be crucial in the development of the special talent, and he must be focussed. He can become a world class player sooner rather than later.

Manchester United fans: Do you expect to see the best of Januzaj next season? Have your say in the comments section below!

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